JPWO2019043948A1 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention detects a user's page turning operation for content having a plurality of pages, and continuously performs a plurality of page turning operations when the page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation. If the operation type determination unit determines that the page turning operation that does not correspond to the continuous operation is a single operation, and the operation type determination unit determines that the single operation is performed, the operation type is stored in the storage area according to the single operation. The first storage target page data to be performed is specified, a delivery request is made for page data not stored in the storage area among the specified first storage target page data, and the operation type determination unit performs the continuous operation If it is determined that the second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the end determination of the continuous operation, Among the second storage target page data, a page request unit that makes a distribution request for page data that is not stored in the storage area, and a storage that stores the page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area A management unit and a display control unit that performs control to read and display page data from the storage area in accordance with a page turning operation by a user.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a storage medium, and particularly relates to a technical field regarding content download.

  In recent years, electronic book download services have become widespread. In such an e-book download service, for example, in addition to the so-called full download format in which all the page data of the purchased e-book is downloaded, the page data of the e-book is downloaded at any time and played back while being stored in a cache. Browsing in progressive download format is known.

JP 2013-73453 A

In Patent Document 1, in the display of an electronic book, pages that can be page turning candidates can be stored by the first type of operation, and by performing the second type of operation, the first type of operation can be performed. A content display device is described in which the display on the display unit is updated so that the accumulated pages of page turning candidates are turned at once.
Here, in the progressive download format in which the pages to be read of the electronic book are downloaded and stored in the cache, the page information is requested from the server even for pages that are not likely to be viewed by the user. May become useless communication.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize an efficient electronic book download according to a user's operation.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that requests only page data within a predetermined range including a page specified by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation,
A user's page turning operation for content having multiple pages is detected, and when a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation, it is determined that the plurality of page turning operations are continuous operations, and corresponds to the continuous operation. The operation type determination unit that determines that the page turning operation is not a single operation, and the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the single operation when the operation type determination unit determines that the single operation When the distribution request is made for the page data not stored in the storage area among the specified first storage target page data, and the operation type determination unit determines that the continuous operation is performed, The second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the end determination of the continuous operation is specified, and the specified second storage target page data is specified Among them, a page request unit that makes a distribution request for page data that is not stored in the storage area, a storage management unit that stores page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area, and a user page feed And a display control unit that performs control to read and display page data from the storage area in accordance with an operation.

That is, the operation type is automatically determined from the timing of the user's page turning operation, and the page data to be stored in the storage area is specified according to the operation type. Here, it is confirmed whether the specified page data has been stored in the storage area, and page data request processing is performed assuming that page data needs to be acquired for page data that has not been stored yet. At this time, the page data to be stored in the storage area in the single operation is specified as the first storage target page data, and the page data to be stored in the storage area in the continuous operation is the second storage target page data Identify.
Further, the page data of the transition destination page determined by the page turning operation is read from the storage area and displayed on the display unit.
When the operation type is continuous operation, page data request processing corresponding to the page turning operation is not performed during a period when it is determined that continuous operation is being performed.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the page request unit may specify a display target page and a neighboring page of the display target page as the first storage target page data or the second storage target page data.
That is, in addition to the display target page to be displayed on the display, adjacent pages that the user may view in the future by a page feed operation are specified as page data to be requested for distribution.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the page request unit specifies, as a display target page, an adjacent page of the currently displayed page in the first storage target page data, and an adjacent page of the specified display target page A predetermined range including a page including a page adjacent to the specified display target page, specifying a display target page according to the continuous operation in the second storage target page data It is conceivable that the page is specified as the adjacent page.
As a result, when the user's page turning operation is determined as a single operation, the adjacent page of the currently displayed page is specified as a display target page, and when the user's page turning operation is determined as a continuous operation, The transition destination page specified by the continuous operation is set as a display target page. Then, the display target page corresponding to the operation type and the adjacent page that is a predetermined range of pages including the adjacent pages of the display target page are specified as the storage target page data.

In the information processing apparatus described above, it is conceivable that the page request unit specifies at least a page continuous in the page progression direction from the display target page as the adjacent page.
That is, the front proximity page that is close to the page progression direction when viewed from the display target page is stored in the storage area.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the adjacent page may be specified such that pages continuing from the display target page in a direction opposite to the page progress direction are fewer than pages continuing from the display target page in the page progress direction. Conceivable.
In other words, as viewed from the display target page, not only the page moving direction but also the back neighboring pages that are close to the page moving direction are stored in the storage area. There are more pages near the front than pages.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the page request unit may specify the adjacent page according to the capacity of the storage area.
That is, the number of adjacent pages is set so that a storage area used for another purpose of the information processing apparatus can be secured.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the page request unit may specify the adjacent page according to the remaining amount of the storage area.
That is, the number of adjacent pages is set so that a page data storage area can be secured.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the page request unit may specify the proximity page based on the operation history of the user.
That is, the user's operation tendency is determined from the operation history, and the number of adjacent pages is changed according to the tendency for each user.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the page request unit may specify the adjacent page according to the time interval of the single operation.
That is, the user's page turning speed is estimated from the single operation interval, and the number of adjacent pages is changed in accordance with the user's page turning speed.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the operation type determination unit may set the predetermined period based on the operation history of the user.
That is, the tendency of the user's operation is determined from the operation history, and the criteria for single operation and continuous operation are changed for each user.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the operation type determination unit may set the predetermined period based on the user's operation history in the currently displayed content.
Thereby, the tendency of the user's operation is grasped for each content, and the criteria for single operation and continuous operation are changed for each content.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the operation type determination unit may set the predetermined period based on the type information of the currently displayed content.
Thereby, the criteria for single operation and continuous operation are changed for each content the user is browsing.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the storage management unit may include all or a part of page data that does not fall within a predetermined range including a page adjacent to the currently displayed page among the page data stored in the storage area. It is possible to delete it.
That is, page data that does not fall within the predetermined range including the page adjacent to the currently displayed page is deleted as needed, and free space is secured in the storage area.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the storage management unit may delete page data that is out of the predetermined range and has the oldest storage time out of the page data stored in the storage area. .
As a result, page data that is less likely to be viewed by the user in the future is deleted.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the storage management unit may delete page data that is out of the predetermined range and that has been displayed at least once among the page data stored in the storage area. Conceivable.
That is, a page browsed at least once by the user is not likely to be browsed by the user, and thus the page data is deleted.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the storage management unit is page data outside the predetermined range among the page data stored in the storage area, and is the reverse direction to the page progression direction from the page data to be displayed. It is conceivable to delete page data that is farthest away from each other.
That is, the frequency of page turning operations is not so high from the displayed display target page in the direction opposite to the page progression direction. This is especially true if the page is a rearward closest page that is farthest from the display target page. Therefore, the backward adjacent page is deleted.

In the information processing apparatus described above, when the display control unit detects a page turning operation, the display control unit displays a page obtained by simplifying the page constituting the currently displayed content as a page transition screen indicating a page transition state. Can be considered.
Thereby, the page transition screen memorize | stored according to the genre of content is displayed until the page of a transition destination is displayed.

  An information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus that requests only page data within a predetermined range including a page specified by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation. A user's page turning operation for content having a page is detected, and a plurality of page turning operations when a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation are determined as continuous operations, and do not correspond to the continuous operations. The step of determining the page turning operation as a single operation and the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the single operation when the single operation is determined, and the specified first memory Among the target page data, a delivery request is made for page data not stored in the storage area, and the continuous operation is determined. The second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the end determination of the continuous operation is specified, and among the specified second storage target page data, the second storage target page data is not stored in the storage area A step of making a distribution request for page data, a step of storing page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area, and reading the page data from the storage area in response to a user's page feed operation. An information processing method in which the information processing apparatus executes a step of performing control to display.

A program according to the present invention is a program that causes an information processing apparatus to execute each process of the information processing method.
A storage medium according to the present invention is a storage medium storing the above program.
The above information processing apparatus is realized by these programs and storage media.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication amount of the user terminal used for browsing of a content and a web server can be reduced, and the memory area of the said user terminal can be used effectively.

It is explanatory drawing of the structural example of the network system of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the hardware constitutions of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the web server and database of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the database of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the content selection screen in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the page sending operation classification in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the single operation in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the continuous operation in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing about the flow of a process of the user terminal and web server in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the process of the web server in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the operation determination process in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the page request process in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the page range determination process in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the page range determination process in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the memory | storage management process in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the page range determination process in 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the page range determination process in 5th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the operation determination period calculation process in 6th Embodiment and 7th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the memory | storage management processing in 8th Embodiment and 9th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in the following order.
<1. Overall configuration>
<2. Functional configuration of user terminal>
<3. First Embodiment>
<4. Second Embodiment>
<5. Third Embodiment>
<6. Fourth Embodiment>
<7. Fifth embodiment>
<8. Sixth Embodiment>
<9. Seventh Embodiment>
<10. Eighth Embodiment>
<11. Ninth Embodiment>
<12. Summary>
<13. Program and Storage Medium>

The meaning of each term used is as follows.
The page turning operation refers to an operation for a user to advance the page of the electronic book in the page moving direction or the direction opposite to the moving direction. For example, the user performs a page turning operation by an operation such as flick input or touch.
The single operation is a page turning operation when the page turning operation is not performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation. The user can browse an adjacent page from the page currently displayed on the display screen by performing the single operation.
The continuous operation refers to a plurality of page turning operations when the page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation. The user can browse a page away from the currently displayed page by performing the continuous operation.
The display target page is a page specified by the user's page turning operation, and refers to a page to be displayed (or is a display target) in processing.
・ Front refers to the page progression direction when viewed from the display target page.
・ Back refers to the direction opposite to the page progression direction when viewed from the display target page.
The adjacent page is a page adjacent to the front or back of the display target page, and the adjacent page refers to a page that is close within a predetermined range from the display target page (including the adjacent page). Further, a predetermined number of pages in the page advance direction (front) from the display target page are referred to as front adjacent pages, and a predetermined number of pages from the display target page in the reverse direction (backward) to the page advance direction are referred to as rear adjacent pages.
Further, as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the claims of the present invention, a description will be given using a user terminal that receives and displays page data from a web server that provides an electronic book download service (hereinafter referred to as this service).

<1. Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system according to the present embodiment. In this network system, the user terminal 1 and the web server 2 can communicate with each other via a network N.
Further, the web server 2 can access a database 3 (hereinafter, “database” is expressed as “DB”).
Various specific examples of such a system are conceivable, but in the case of this embodiment, for example, electronic books such as magazines and novels purchased on the site are downloaded and viewed separately on an application, or a fixed amount such as a monthly fee The electronic book download system allows the user to freely download and browse electronic books. For example, the user terminal 1 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the claims of the present invention. The user can browse electronic books such as magazines downloaded from the web server 2 via the user terminal 1.

Various examples of the configuration of the network N are assumed. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN (Local Area Network), CATV (Community Antenna TeleVision), communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, etc. are assumed. Is done.
Various examples of transmission media constituting all or part of the network N are also possible. For example, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, USB (Universal Serial Bus), power line carrier, telephone line, etc., such as infrared, IrDA (Infrared Data Association), Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless It can also be used wirelessly such as a mobile phone network, a satellite line, and a digital terrestrial network.

The user terminal 1 is a terminal device used by a user who uses this service by the web server 2, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a feature phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smartphone or a tablet terminal having a communication function. Such as smart devices.
The user can use the user terminal 1 to perform various operations such as a download operation for an electronic book such as a magazine or a novel or a browsing operation for a downloaded electronic book in the service provided by the web server 2.

In response to a request from the user terminal 1, the web server 2 performs log-in processing and transmission of page data in a downloadable electronic book. Various information of the electronic book to be presented is stored in the DB 3.
Examples of electronic books to be presented include various types such as “paperback”, “magazine”, “mook”, and “comic”.
The web server 2 acquires necessary information from the DB 3 in response to various requests from the user terminal 1 and transmits it to the user terminal 1 via the network N.

  FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus that constitutes the user terminal 1 and the web server 2. Each device such as the user terminal 1 and the web server 2 can be realized as a computer device as shown in FIG. 2 capable of information processing and information communication.

In FIG. 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 of a computer apparatus performs various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 or a program loaded from a storage unit 108 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103. Execute the process. The RAM 103 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 101 to execute various processes.
The CPU 101, ROM 102, and RAM 103 are connected to each other via a bus 104. An input / output interface 105 is also connected to the bus 104.
The input / output interface 105 includes an input unit 106 including a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, a display including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an organic EL (Electroluminescence) panel, and an output including a speaker. A storage unit 108 configured by a unit 107, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory device, and the like, and a communication unit 109 that performs communication processing and inter-device communication via the network N are connected.
A media drive 110 is also connected to the input / output interface 105 as necessary, and a removable medium 111 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted, and information can be written to the removable medium 111. Reading is performed.

In such a computer apparatus, data and programs can be uploaded and downloaded by communication by the communication unit 109, and data and programs can be transferred via the removable medium 111.
When the CPU 101 performs processing operations based on various programs, necessary information processing and communication as the user terminal 1 and the web server 2 are executed.
In addition, the information processing apparatus which comprises the user terminal 1 and the web server 2 is not restricted to a single computer apparatus as shown in FIG. . The plurality of computer devices may be systemized by a LAN or the like, or may be arranged so as to be able to communicate with a remote place by a VPN using the Internet or the like. The plurality of information processing apparatuses may include an information processing apparatus as a server group (cloud) that can be used by the cloud computing service.

<2. Functional configuration of user terminal>
FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration example of the user terminal 1. The user terminal 1 is composed of one or a plurality of information processing devices.
Each function of the user terminal 1 is a function realized by processing executed by the CPU 101 according to the program in the information processing apparatus. However, all or some of the processes described below may be realized by hardware.
Further, when each function is realized by software, each function need not be realized by an independent program. Processing of a plurality of functions may be executed by one program, or one function may be realized by cooperation of a plurality of program modules. Each function may be distributed among a plurality of information processing apparatuses. Furthermore, one of the functions may be realized by a plurality of information processing apparatuses.
The user terminal 1 includes an operation type determination unit 11, a page request unit 12, a storage management unit 13, and a display control unit 14.

The operation type determination unit 11 detects a user's page turning operation for content having a plurality of pages, and determines a plurality of page turning operations when a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation as a continuous operation. Then, a page turning operation that does not correspond to the continuous operation is determined as a single operation.
The operation type determination unit 11 sets a predetermined period based on the user operation history. In particular, the operation type determination unit 11 sets a predetermined period based on the user operation history in the content. In addition, the operation type determination unit 11 can set a predetermined period based on content type information.

When the operation type determination unit 11 determines that the operation is a single operation, the page request unit 12 specifies the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the single operation, and the operation type determination unit 11 continues. The second storage object to be stored in the storage area according to the continuous operation is determined by the end determination of the continuous operation without performing the page data distribution request according to the page turning operation during the period during which the operation is being performed. Specify page data.
Moreover, the page request | requirement part 12 performs a delivery request | requirement to the web server 2 about the page data which is not memorize | stored in a storage area among the specified 1st memory | storage object page data or 2nd memory | storage object page data.
The page data requested from the web server 2 includes a display target page to be displayed on the display of the user terminal 1 by the display control unit 14 to be described later, and a predetermined number of page data continuous in the page progression direction from the display target page. And a backward adjacent page that is a predetermined number of page data continuous from the display target page in the direction opposite to the page moving direction.

The storage management unit 13 stores the page data distributed from the web server 2 in response to the request in the storage area.
In addition, the storage management unit 13 deletes part of the page data stored in the storage area other than the page data acquired by the page request unit 12.

The display control unit 14 performs control to read and display page data from the storage area in response to a page turning operation by the user.
Further, when detecting a page turning operation, the display control unit 14 displays a page obtained by simplifying the page of the currently displayed content as a page transition screen showing a state of page transition.
The display control unit 14 also performs display control of various other screens on the user terminal 1.

  In the following, the user terminal 1 having these functions performs various calculations such as calculation of a predetermined period, determination of a display target page or a proximity page that requires a page data distribution request to the web server 2, and deletion of stored page data. A storage area used for processing will be described. For example, when the user terminal 1 is configured by the computer apparatus of FIG. 2, the following storage areas are prepared using the RAM 103 and the storage unit 108.

  As the storage area, for example, a management information storage area 16, an operation history information storage area 17, a page management information storage area 18, a page data cache area 19 and the like are prepared. Of course, in addition to this, an information storage area necessary for functioning as the user terminal 1 for using the electronic book download system in this service may be prepared.

The management information storage area 16 stores management information of the electronic book selected by the user. The management information includes file size information of the electronic book selected by the user, page information including information (for example, offset of each page and page data size) for enabling delivery request in units of pages, and other information related to the electronic book Metadata, etc. are included.
The management information storage area 16 is updated every time management information of the electronic book selected by the user is received from the web server 2.

The operation history information storage area 17 stores data related to the user operation history. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the operation history information is associated with the history ID that is the identification information of the operation history, the operation date and time, the operation type, the page progress direction of the page feed operation, the genre and ID of the content, and the like. Is remembered.
The operation history information storage area 17 is updated, for example, every time the user terminal 1 detects a user's page turning operation.

The page management information storage area 18 stores page management information for page data stored in the page data cache area 19. In the page management information area 18, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the content ID that is the content identification information is associated with the storage date and time of the page data, the page ID that is the page data identification information, the browsing state of the page data, and the like. Is remembered.
The page management information storage area 18 is updated each time page data received from the web server 2 is stored in the page data cache area 19. The page management information storage area 18 is also updated when page data stored in the storage area is deleted.

The page data cache area 19 stores page data of electronic books received from the web server 2. The page data is the data of the book paper that is actually displayed. Various modes are conceivable as the image presentation mode. Specifically, a fixed (fixed) type that scans a paper medium to create an electronic book in an image format, or a reflow type (reflow) that presents an image based on text data (Text data) Fluid type).
The fixed type is used to digitize books such as manga works and photo books, which are mainly images, and is suitable for practical and business books with a complex layout in which many tables and illustrations are arranged. In addition, since the reflow type uses text data, it is possible to easily enlarge / reduce the characters of display characters (fonts) and change the line spacing, and present the characters in a manner that is easy for the user to read even on devices with a small screen size. There is an advantage that can be.
The page data cache area 19 stores, for example, page data associated with a page ID.

These storage areas are prepared in the user terminal 1 and specifically, for example, in the storage medium such as the RAM 103 and the storage unit 108 shown in FIG. The management information storage area 18 may be realized in any form as long as the user terminal 1 is accessible. For example, the operation history information storage area 17 and the page management information storage area 18 may be formed in a storage unit in the same system as the user terminal 1, or part of the operation history information storage area 17 and the page management information storage area 18. Alternatively, all may be provided in a computer system such as a separate body or a remote place.
Of course, each storage area shown in the figure does not have to be formed in one apparatus (for example, one HDD). For example, information stored in the storage area may be stored and managed by a plurality of storage areas. The storage area described in the embodiment is merely an example of a storage unit for information related to the processing of the embodiment in the form of one storage area. Further, each of the management information storage area 16, the operation history information storage area 17, the page management information storage area 18, the page data cache area 19 and the like formed in the storage area does not have to be configured as one area.
The operation history information storage area 17 and the page management information storage area 18 may be constructed in a server computer of the web server 2, for example, different from the user terminal 1.

<3. First Embodiment>
An outline of a series of flow of page feed operations of content displayed on the user terminal 1 in the electronic book download service according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment, a smart device 70 having a display unit 71 shown in FIG. 5A will be described as an example of a user terminal 1 on which a user operates.
The user performs operations such as tap, double tap, flick, swipe, pinch in, pinch out, shake, and scrub through the touch panel provided on the display unit 71 to select an electronic book to be browsed and the selected electronic book. Various operations such as page turning of a book and end of browsing of an electronic book can be performed.

When the user uses the electronic book download service, first, a list of electronic books that can be browsed is displayed on the display unit 71 as shown in FIG. 5A. In FIG. 5A, as an example, electronic books C1 to C6 are displayed on the display unit 71. The user can also display a browseable electronic book list other than the electronic books C1 to C6 by performing a flick operation or the like.
The user selects an electronic book desired to be browsed from the displayed electronic books C1 to C6 by a tap operation. In FIG. 5A, as an example, it is assumed that the user selects the electronic book C1. The selected electronic book C1 is a comic magazine C1 having a plurality of frame divisions.

  When the comic magazine C1 is selected by the user, the first page PG1 that is the title screen of the comic magazine C1 is displayed on the display unit 71 as shown in FIG. 5B. As a result, the electronic book selected by the user can be read. In the following description, pages following the first page PG1 and continuing in the page progression direction will be described as PG2, PG3, PG4,. For example, PG2 indicates the second page of the comic magazine C1.

Here, the page turning operation when the user reads the comic magazine C1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The page turning operation refers to an operation for advancing a page of an electronic book in the page moving direction or the direction opposite to the moving direction. For example, the user terminal 1 detects the user's flick operation as a page turning operation. Here, the page turning operation of the present embodiment is classified into a single operation and a continuous operation.
In this embodiment, the flick operation is described as an example of the page turning operation. However, the page turning operation can be various operations such as tap, shake, and long touch on the touch panel.

The single operation refers to an operation for advancing a page from a page currently displayed on the display unit 71 to an adjacent page. The single operation is performed, for example, when the user flicks the display unit 71 once.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, a page feed operation OP1 when the next page feed operation OP2 is not performed for a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as operation determination period t) after the page feed operation OP1 is performed. Is a single operation. Here, the operation determination period t is set to a time suitable for distinguishing from a continuous operation described later, such as 0.3 second, 0.5 second, and 1 second.
Note that the page turning operation OP2 is also determined as a single operation if the next page turning operation is not performed during the operation determination period t.

In the example of FIG. 7A, the first page PG1 of the selected comic magazine C1 is displayed on the display unit 71. Here, when the user performs a flick operation (page feed operation OP1) once on the display unit 71, the operation is determined as a single operation. By this operation, as shown in FIG. 7B, the page PG2, which is the next page of the first page PG1, is displayed on the display unit 71.
Here, the flicking in the right direction (right flick) as shown in FIG. 7A is the page advance operation in the page advance direction (forward). In this case, the flicking in the left direction (left flick) is the page return direction (backward). The page feed operation may be performed. Of course, this operation method may be reversed.

On the other hand, the continuous operation is an operation for advancing the page to a page away from the page currently displayed on the display unit 71. The continuous operation is performed, for example, when the user performs a flick operation a plurality of times in a short time.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the next page feed operation OP4 is performed before the operation determination period t has elapsed since the page feed operation OP3 was performed, the operations OP3 and OP4 are set as continuous operations. The The page feed operation OP5 performed before the operation determination period t has elapsed from the page feed operation OP4 is also determined to be a continuous operation. That is, in the example of FIG. 6, a series of operations OP3 to OP5 is a continuous operation.
The continuous operation is terminated when the operation determination period t elapses from the latest page turning operation. At this time, the user terminal 1 calculates the number of page feed operations performed until the end of the continuous operation, and performs a process of displaying a page that has been advanced the number of times from the page currently displayed on the display unit 71.
In the example of FIG. 6B, the operation determination period t has elapsed after the page turning operation OP5. Therefore, the three page feed operations from OP3 to OP5 are determined to be continuous operations. As a result, a page three pages ahead from the page currently displayed on the display unit 71 is displayed.
If the page feed operation OP6 is performed after the operation determination period t has elapsed since the most recent page feed operation OP5, whether or not the page feed operation has been performed again within the operation determination period t from the page feed operation OP6 again. Similarly, it is determined whether the operation is a single operation or a continuous operation.

In the example of FIG. 8A, the user performs three flick operations (page feed operations OP3 to OP5) in a short time on the display unit 71 on which the first page PG1 is displayed. When such a continuous operation is performed, a page transition screen 80 prepared in advance to give the user a natural impression of page turning is displayed on the display unit 71, leaving only the blank space of the comic. As shown in FIG. 8C, a page PG4 advanced three pages from the first page PG1 is displayed on the display unit 71.
In addition, the above continuous operation is applied to the operation in the same direction forward or backward. For example, when the right flick and the left flick are continued within the operation determination period t, each may be recognized as a single operation. .

  As described above, the user can comfortably read the page by using the single operation and the continuous operation properly in the page turning operation.

  Although not shown, an operation button or the like for exhibiting various functions such as ending the processing may be separately provided.

Hereinafter, page turning processing using the user terminal 1 for the comic magazine C1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Note that the processing of the user terminal 1 in the following description is executed in cooperation with at least the functions of the operation type determination unit 11, the page request unit 12, the storage management unit 13, and the display control unit 14 illustrated in FIG. Is.

  First, with reference to FIG. 9, the outline | summary of the process which changes the page of the comic magazine C1 which is the content selected in this service, when a user performs page turning operation using the user terminal 1 is demonstrated. In this example, the page data of the content has not yet been downloaded.

Although not shown, a user who requests this service using the electronic book download system accesses the website provided by the web server 2 from the user terminal 1 in advance and performs a login operation. The user terminal 1 transmits a login request to the web server 2. The web server 2 that has received the login request performs login processing by authenticating the user ID and password.
The web server 2 specifies a user to be processed by completing the login process.

After the login process is performed in the web server 2, when the user terminal 1 detects the user's content selection operation in step S101, the user terminal 1 performs a process of requesting management information from the web server 2 in step S102.
When acquiring the management information request from the user terminal 1, the web server 2 acquires the management information from the DB 3 in step S201, and transmits the management information acquired in step S202 to the user terminal 1.

In step S103, the user terminal 1 that has received the management information from the web server 2 stores the management information in the management information storage area 16 of FIG. Thus, the user terminal 1 can request arbitrary page data of the comic magazine C1 based on the stored management information.
First, the user terminal 1 transmits to the web server 2 a request process for page data of the first page PG1 of the selected comic magazine C1 in step S104. When receiving the page data request process from the user terminal 1, the web server 2 acquires the page data of the first page PG1 from the DB 3 in step S203, and transmits the page data to the user terminal 1 in step S204.

  When receiving the page data of the first page PG1 from the web server 2, the user terminal 1 stores the page data in the page data cache area 19 of FIG. 3 in step S105, and stores the page data in the display unit 71 in step S106. Control display. Thus, by storing the page data in the page data cache area 19, the page data can be displayed without requesting the page data to the web server 2 when the page once stored on the display unit 71 is displayed again. The page data can be acquired from the cache area 19. Thereby, it is not necessary to communicate with the web server 2 again, and the amount of communication can be reduced.

  In a state where the page of the selected comic magazine C1 is displayed on the display unit 71, the user terminal 1 monitors whether or not a page turning operation is performed from a user's flick operation or the like in step S107. When detecting the page turning operation in step S107, the user terminal 1 advances the processing to step S108, and determines whether the page turning operation is a single operation or a continuous operation.

  When the next page turning operation is not performed during the operation determination period t after the page turning operation in step S107, the user terminal 1 determines that the page turning operation in step S107 is a single operation in step S108. Then, the user terminal 1 advances the processing to step S109, and determines the page data next to the page that has been displayed in the display area of the display unit 71 most recently as a delivery request page. Thereafter, in step S110, the user terminal 1 performs a process of transmitting the determined page data distribution request to the web server 2.

  When receiving a page data distribution request from the user terminal 1, the web server 2 acquires the page data from the DB 3 in step S205, and transmits the acquired page data to the user terminal 1 in step S206.

When receiving the page data from the web server 2, the user terminal 1 stores the page data in the page data cache area 19 in step S <b> 111. By temporarily storing the page data in the page data cache area 19, it is not necessary to make a page request to the web server 2 when the same page data is displayed again in the display area of the display unit 71.
Then, the user terminal 1 advances the processing to step S <b> 112 and displays the next page of the page displayed most recently in the display area of the display unit 71.
Thereafter, the user terminal 1 completes the process by the single operation, returns the process to step S107, and again monitors the presence / absence of the page turning operation.

When the next page turning operation is performed during the operation determination period t after the page turning operation in step S107, the user terminal 1 determines that the page turning operation in step S107 is a continuous operation in step S108, and step S113. Proceed with the process. In step S113, the user terminal 1 determines whether the continuous operation has ended. Here, the point in time when the operation determination period t has elapsed since the most recent page turning operation is determined as the end of the continuous operation.
If it is determined in step S113 that the continuous operation has ended, the user terminal 1 determines in step S114 that the page data requested to be distributed to the web server 2 depends on the number of continuous operations and the storage status of the page data in the page data cache area 19. To decide.
Thereafter, in step S115, the user terminal 1 performs a process of transmitting the page data distribution request determined in step S114 to the web server 2.

  When the web server 2 receives the page data delivery request transmitted from the user terminal 1 in step S115, the web server 2 acquires the page data requested from the DB 3 in step S205, and transmits it to the user terminal 1 in step S206. Do.

When receiving the page data from the web server 2, the user terminal 1 stores the page data in the page data cache area 19 in step S <b> 111.
Then, the user terminal 1 advances the processing to step S112, and causes the display unit 71 to display a transition destination page corresponding to the page turning operation.
Thereafter, the user terminal 1 completes the process by the continuous operation, returns the process to step S107, and again monitors the presence / absence of the page turning operation.

  By the above process, the user terminal 1 determines whether the user's page turning operation is a single operation or a continuous operation, and then makes a page request to the web server 2 so that the user skipped by the continuous operation may browse. There is no need to request delivery of page data for low pages. Thereby, the user terminal 1 can reduce the amount of communication with the web server 2. Further, the capacity of page data stored in the storage area of the user terminal 1 can be reduced.

  A process performed by the user terminal 1 to realize the page turning operation as described above will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the description of the login process is omitted.

  The user terminal 1 performs monitoring in the loop process of steps S301 to S304. Here, the user terminal 1 monitors content selection operation by the user, reception of management information from the web server 2, page turning operation by the user, and termination operation by the user.

If the user terminal 1 detects a content selection operation by the user in step S301, the process proceeds to step S311. In step S311, the user terminal 1 performs processing for requesting management information from the web server 2.
The management information includes file size information of the electronic book selected by the user, identification information for each page, page position offset, other metadata about the electronic book, and the like.
When the management information request is received, the web server 2 acquires management information corresponding to the request from the DB 3 and transmits it to the user terminal 1.
After executing the process of step S311, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S302.

In step S302, the user terminal 1 confirms whether the management information requested in step S311 has been received from the web server 2. When the user terminal 1 confirms reception of the management information in step S302, the process proceeds to step S321.
In step S321, the user terminal 1 stores the received management information in the management information storage area 16 shown in FIG.
By acquiring the management information, the user terminal 1 can partially request the page data constituting the electronic book from the web server 2. Specifically, the user terminal 1 can request page data of a specific page from the web server 2 such as only the fifth page.

After step S321, the user terminal 1 performs a process of requesting the web server 2 for page data of the first page PG1 of the selected electronic book in step S322. The user terminal 1 advances the process from step S322 to step S323, and confirms reception of the page data of the first page PG1 from the web server 2. The user terminal 1 waits until the page data of the first page PG1 is received from the web server 2 in step S323. When the reception of the page data is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S324, and the received page data is stored in the page data cache area. 19
Thereafter, the user terminal 1 advances the processing from step S324 to step S325, and displays the received page data of the first page PG1 on the display unit 71. Thereby, the user can perform a page turning operation via the display unit 71.

When the user terminal 1 detects a page turning operation from the user in step S303, the process proceeds to step S331. The page feed operation here refers to a flick operation as shown in FIG. 7A or FIG. 8A, for example.
The user terminal 1 performs an operation determination process for determining whether the page turning operation is a single operation or a continuous operation in step S331, and then performs a page request process corresponding to the operation determination process in step S332. Details of the operation determination process and the page request process will be described later.

In step S304, the user terminal 1 confirms whether an end operation has been performed by the user. When the end operation is detected in step S304, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S341. Here, the ending operation means an operation for ending the browsing of the comic magazine C1, and an ending button is selected from the menu screen displayed on the display unit 71 or an ending switch provided on the user terminal 1 is operated. It is done by doing.
In step S341, the user terminal 1 executes processing for deleting the page data of the comic magazine C1 stored in the page data cache area 19. In this way, when the browsing of the electronic book is finished, it is possible to make effective use of the storage area by re-allocating a free area in the storage area.
Thereafter, the user terminal 1 performs end processing in step S342, and ends browsing of the electronic book using this service.

After completing the processes in steps S311, S325, S332, and S342, the user terminal 1 performs the monitoring loop process in steps S301 to S304 again.
Although not shown in the present embodiment, the user terminal 1 performs various processes in addition to the processes shown in FIG.

  Details of the operation determination process in step S331 will be described with reference to FIG. In the operation determination process, the user terminal 1 determines the operation type of the page turning operation performed by the user, and calculates the number of page turning operations performed as a continuous operation when the operation type is a continuous operation.

First, the user terminal 1 clears a continuous operation flag (to be described later) in step S401, and resets a variable CT indicating the number of page turning operations in the continuous operation to 0 in step S402.
In step S403, the user terminal 1 resets the timer TM that measures the operation determination period t from the page turning operation, and starts measurement. In the first embodiment, the operation determination period t is set in the user terminal 1 in advance.
Thereafter, the user terminal 1 performs monitoring in steps S404 and S405 until the operation determination period t elapses. In step S404, the user terminal 1 monitors whether the operation determination period t has elapsed, and in step S405, monitors whether the page turning operation has been performed again.

If it is determined that the operation determination period t has elapsed in step S404 without detecting the page turning operation again in step S405, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S406.
In step S406, the user terminal 1 checks whether the continuous operation flag is ON. In this case, since the continuous operation flag is OFF, the user terminal 1 completes the operation determination process from step S406, and advances the process to step S332 in FIG.
That is, when the continuous operation flag is not ON, the page turning operation is in the single operation state described above.

Next, after proceeding from step S401 to S402 in the same manner as described above, if the page turning operation is detected again in step S405 before the operation determination period t in step S404, the user terminal 1 performs step S407. Proceed with the process.
In step S407, the user terminal 1 resets the timer TM and restarts the measurement of the operation determination time t. Then, the user terminal 1 advances the processing to step S408 and confirms whether the continuous flag is ON. If the continuous operation flag is OFF, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S409, and executes a process of setting the continuous flag to ON. If the continuous operation flag has already been turned ON, the process of step S409 is unnecessary and is not performed.

After proceeding to step S410, the user terminal 1 performs a process of displaying a page transition screen on the display unit 71.
In the comic magazine C1 according to the first embodiment, the user terminal 1 displays a page on which a blank frame layout with no content as shown in FIG. 8B is drawn as a page transition screen. Thus, a page transition screen corresponding to the genre of the electronic book is displayed on the display unit 71.
Here, for example, when the genre of the electronic book is “book” whose main text is “book”, the user terminal 1 may cause the display unit 71 to display a character string blurred to such an extent that characters cannot be visually recognized as a page transition screen. Is possible. In the user terminal 1, page data of a page transition screen corresponding to the genre of the electronic book is stored in advance in the storage area.
By displaying the page transition screen according to the genre of the electronic book being browsed in this way, it is possible to give the user a more natural feeling of turning the page.

  Thereafter, in step S411, the user terminal 1 adds 1 to the variable CT (CT = CT + 1), returns the process to step S404, and performs the monitoring loop process of steps S404 and S405 again.

When the page operation is detected again in step S405 before the operation determination period elapses with the continuous operation flag set to ON, the user terminal 1 advances the processing in the order of steps S407 → S408 → S410 → S411, 1 is added to the variable CT (CT = CT + 1), and the process proceeds to step S404.
In this way, the user terminal 1 continues to add the variable CT every time a page turning operation is detected in step S405 before the operation determination period elapses.

If the operation determination period t has elapsed in step S404 without detecting the page turning operation again in step S405, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S406.
In this case, since the continuous operation flag is ON, the user terminal 1 advances the processing to step S412 and sets the added number of variables CT as the number of page turning operations NCT.
After step S412, the user terminal 1 completes the operation determination process, and proceeds to step S332 in FIG.

  Details of the page request processing in step S332 will be described with reference to FIG. In the page request process, the user terminal 1 determines page data to be downloaded to the web server 2 (distribution request) according to the operation type determination process performed in step S331, and receives the page data received from the web server 2 The page data stored in the cache area 19 is displayed on the display unit 71.

First, page request processing when the user's page turning operation is a single operation will be described. In step S501, the user terminal 1 checks whether or not the continuous operation flag is ON. When the user terminal 1 confirms that the continuous operation flag is OFF in step S501, the process proceeds to step S502. That is, the user terminal 1 determines that the page turning operation detected by the operation determination process in step S331 in FIG. 10 is a single operation.
The user terminal 1 that has determined that the page turning operation is a single operation determines a display target page according to the direction of the page turning operation in step S502. The display target page is a transition destination page to be displayed on the display unit 71. In step S <b> 502, when it is a forward page turning operation, the user terminal 1 determines a page next to the page currently displayed on the display unit 71 as a display target page. In the case of a backward page feed operation, the user terminal 1 determines a page that has been returned by one from the page currently displayed on the display unit 71 as a display target page.

Thereafter, in step S503, the user terminal 1 confirms whether the display target page is stored in the page data cache area 19. If the display target page is not stored in the page data cache area 19 in step S503, the user terminal 1 proceeds to step S504, and transmits a page data request for the display target page to the web server 2.
In step S <b> 505, the user terminal 1 waits until receiving page data of the display target page from the web server 2. When the user terminal 1 receives the page data in step S505, the user terminal 1 performs a storage process of storing the page data in the page data cache area 19 in step S506.
Thereafter, the user terminal 1 proceeds from step S506 to step S507, and performs display control of the display target page on the display unit 71. Thereby, the page next to the currently displayed page is displayed on the display unit 71 as a display target page.
At this time, the user terminal 1 performs the display control process before requesting the web server 2 for page data of the adjacent page. That is, the display target page that has already been acquired is displayed on the display unit 71, and then the adjacent page is determined and stored. Thus, there is no waiting time due to the determination of the adjacent page and the storage process before the new page is displayed, and the user can comfortably browse the display target page.

After the display control of the display target page in step S507, the user terminal 1 performs a page range determination process for determining a range in which a download request for a neighboring page of the display target page is performed in step S508. That is, the user terminal 1 determines the range of the front neighboring page and the rear neighboring page that should request the page data.
Here, the front adjacent page refers to a page on the page advance direction side as viewed from the display target page among the adjacent pages, and the rear adjacent page refers to a page on the opposite side of the page advance direction from the display target page among the adjacent pages. A page.
In the first embodiment, the front proximity page and the rear proximity page to be requested are set in advance. Here, the user terminal 1 determines the range of three pages in the page advance direction from the display target page as the front adjacent page, and determines the range of three pages opposite to the page advance direction from the display target page as the rear adjacent page. To do.
Other examples of page range determination processing will be described later.

  The user terminal 1 advances the processing from step S508 to step S509, and checks whether a page other than the display target page and the adjacent page (page outside the range) is stored in the page data cache area 19. If the user terminal 1 determines in step S509 that no page outside the range is stored in the page data cache area 19, the process proceeds to step S511.

Here, in step S509, when a page outside the range is stored in the page data cache area 19, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S510, and performs a storage management process. In the first embodiment, the user terminal 1 performs a process of deleting a page outside the range from the page data cache area 19 as a storage management process. As a result, a page that is unlikely to be viewed by the user is deleted before storing the page data of the adjacent page in the storage area, thereby ensuring a sufficient storage capacity for storing the adjacent page. It is possible to request page data from the web server 2.
Another example of the storage management process for deleting the page data stored in the storage medium performed by the user terminal 1 will be described later.

  In step S511, the user terminal 1 checks whether there is page data that is not stored in the page data cache area 19 among the adjacent pages. If there is page data that is not stored in step S511, the user terminal 1 performs a process of requesting the web server 2 for page data that is not stored in the page data cache area 19 among the adjacent pages in step S512. .

In step S513, the user terminal 1 stands by until it receives the page data of the proximity page requested from the web server 2. When receiving the page data, the user terminal 1 performs a storage process of storing the received page data of the adjacent page in the page data cache area 19 in step S514.
Thereby, when the page data of the display target page to be displayed on the display unit 71 is stored in the storage area, the page data of the adjacent page of the display target page considered to be highly likely to be browsed by the user is also stored. It will be. By storing pages other than the display target page in the storage area in advance, it is possible to respond quickly to the user's page turning operation.

In addition, storing pages other than the display target page in advance in the storage area can quickly respond to the user's page turning operation, but the page data of the adjacent page is stored in the storage area every time the page data of the display target page is stored. When stored in the memory area, the storage capacity of the storage area is compressed.
Therefore, the storage area can be effectively used by periodically performing storage management processing for deleting page data stored in the storage area as shown in step S510.
After the storage process in step S514, the user terminal 1 completes the page request process in step S332, and the process proceeds to step S304 in FIG.
If it is determined in step S512 that there is no page data not stored in the page data cache area 19 as page data within the page range determined in step S508, the user terminal 1 performs the processing shown in FIG. (Step S332 in FIG. 10) ends.

By the way, even if the continuous operation flag is OFF (single operation), the page data of the display target page may already be stored in the page data cache area 19 in step S503. When the display target page determined in step S502 is stored in the page data cache area 19, the user terminal 1 advances the process in steps S501 → S502 → S503 → S507, and performs a request for page data to the web server 2. The display target page is displayed on the display unit 71 without any problem. After the process of step S507, the user terminal 1 performs the processes of steps S507 to S514 in the same manner as described above.
When the user terminal 1 completes the page request process in step S332, the process proceeds to step S304 in FIG.

Next, page request processing when the user's page turning operation is a continuous operation will be described. In this case, since the continuous operation flag is ON, the user terminal 1 proceeds from step S501 to S515.
In step S515, the user terminal 1 determines, as a display target page, a page advanced from the currently displayed page by the number of times NCT of page-turning operations that have been continuously performed. For example, in the state where page PG1 is displayed on display unit 71 in FIG. 8A, it is assumed that the user performs a right flick operation three times as a continuous operation (page feed operation count NCT = 3). In this case, the page PG4 advanced three pages from the page PG1 is determined as the display target page. Further, it is assumed that the right flick operation is performed 10 times (number of page turning operations NCT = 10). In this case, the page PG11 advanced 10 pages from the page PG1 is determined as the display target page. Further, if the user performs the left flick operation five times in a state where the page PG10 is displayed on the display unit 71, the page PG5 returned by five pages from the page PG10 is determined as the display target page.

  Thereafter, the user terminal 1 confirms whether the display target page is stored in the page data cache area 19 in step S516. If the display target page is not stored in the page data cache area 19 in step S516 in step S516, the user terminal 1 proceeds to step S517 and transmits a page data request for the display target page to the web server 2. . In the above example, the user terminal 1 transmits a page data distribution request for the page PG4, which is the display target page, to the web server 2.

  In step S518, the user terminal 1 waits until page data of the display target page is received from the web server 2. When the user terminal 1 receives the page data in step S518, the user terminal 1 performs a storage process of storing the page data in the page data cache area 19 in step S519.

The user terminal 1 advances the process from step S519 to step S507, and performs display control of the display target page in the display area of the display unit 71. As a result, a page advanced by NCT from the currently displayed page is displayed on the display unit 71 as a display target page. Speaking of the right flick operation described above three times, the user terminal 1 causes the display unit 71 to display a page PG4 that is a display target page, as shown in FIG. 8C.
After the process of step S507, the user terminal 1 performs the processes of steps S507 to S514 in the same manner as described above, and finishes the process of FIG. 12 (S332 of FIG. 10).

When the user terminal 1 confirms that the page data of the display target page is stored in the page data cache area 19 in step S516 after the display target page is determined in step S515, the user terminal 1 The page data is acquired from the page data cache area 19 without requesting the page data to 2. The user terminal 1 displays the display target page on the display unit 71 in step S507.
After the process of step S507, the user terminal 1 performs the processes of steps S507 to S514 in the same manner as described above, and finishes the process of FIG. 12 (S332 of FIG. 10).

<4. Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the second embodiment, the user terminal 1 determines the page ranges of the front neighboring page and the rear neighboring page based on the terminal information of the user terminal 1 in the page range determining process (step S508 in FIG. 12). .

  In the page range determination process, first, in step S601, the user terminal 1 acquires the storage capacity information of the storage area of the memory from the terminal information of the user terminal 1 itself. In step S602, the user terminal 1 determines whether the storage capacity of the memory of the user terminal 1 is equal to or greater than the threshold thC. The threshold thC is a preset value, and when the user terminal 1 has a capacity equal to or greater than the threshold thC, it is determined that the storage area of the user terminal 1 has room.

In step S602, if the storage capacity of the user terminal 1 is smaller than the threshold thC, it can be said that the user terminal 1 cannot devote much storage capacity in downloading the comic magazine C1 in this service.
Therefore, in this case, the user terminal 1 advances the processing from step S602 to step S605, and determines three pages in the page progression direction as the front adjacent pages from the display target pages displayed on the display unit 71.
In step S606, the user terminal 1 determines three pages from the display target page as backward adjacent pages in the direction opposite to the page progression direction.
After the process of step S606, the user terminal 1 completes the page range determination process, and the process proceeds to step S509 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the storage capacity of the user terminal 1 is greater than or equal to the threshold thC in step S602, the memory area of the memory has a relatively large margin, and the user terminal 1 has a large storage capacity for downloading the comic magazine C1 in this service. Can be used.
Therefore, in step S602, when the storage capacity of the user terminal 1 is greater than or equal to the threshold thC, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S603, and from the display target page displayed on the display unit 71 in the page progress direction. Five pages more than three pages are determined as the front adjacent pages.
In step S604, the user terminal 1 determines, from the display target page, five pages more than three pages as backward adjacent pages in the direction opposite to the page progression direction.
After the process of step S604, the user terminal 1 completes the page range determination process and advances the process to step S509 in FIG.

In the second embodiment, when there is some margin in the storage capacity of the user terminal 1, a large page range of the front adjacent page and the rear adjacent page can be stored in the storage area. Thereby, even if the user suddenly performs a single operation continuously, the page of the transition destination can be promptly displayed without performing communication with the web server 2.
The storage capacity to be compared with the threshold thC may be determined according to the setting situation of the cache area 19 in the user terminal 1. For example, the capacity of the RAM 103 may be used, or the capacity allocated to the electronic book viewing software (application program) in the user terminal 1 may be used. Furthermore, the capacity of an area that can be set as the page data cache area 19 may be used.

<5. Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
In the third embodiment, the user terminal 1 determines the page ranges of the front neighboring page and the rear neighboring page based on the remaining amount of the page data cache area 19 of the user terminal 1 in the page range determination process (step S508 in FIG. 12). To be determined.
Further, the user terminal 1 deletes page data that has been viewed by the user based on the remaining amount of the storage area of the page data cache area 19 in the storage management process (step S510 in FIG. 12).

First, page range determination processing in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S701, the user terminal 1 obtains storage remaining amount information that is the remaining storage capacity of the page data cache area 19 from the terminal information of the user terminal 1 itself. In step S702, the user terminal 1 determines whether the remaining storage capacity of the page data cache area 19 of the user terminal 1 is equal to or less than the threshold thR1. The threshold thR1 is a preset value. If the remaining amount of the storage area of the page data cache area 19 decreases as it is, it is assumed that the page data received from the web server 2 cannot be stored soon. Is the value to be

Here, when it is below the threshold thR1 in step S702, the user terminal 1 advances the processing from step S702 to step S706, and forwards one page less than three pages, which is the number of pages determined at normal time, from the display target page. Determined as a proximity page.
Then, in the subsequent step S707, the user terminal 1 determines one page less than the normal page from the display target pages as the rear adjacent page.
When the remaining amount of storage in the page data cache area 19 is not so large, the number of page data to be stored in the storage area is reduced by determining the smaller number of pages as the front neighboring page and the rear neighboring page than usual. Thus, it is possible to prevent the remaining storage capacity from being pressed by page data that is not necessarily viewed by the user.
After the process of step S707, the user terminal 1 completes the page range determination process, and the process proceeds to step S509 of FIG.

When the remaining amount of the storage area is larger than the threshold thR1, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S703, and determines whether the storage capacity of the page data cache area 19 of the user terminal 1 is equal to or greater than the threshold thR2.
The threshold thR2 is an arbitrary value set in advance, and is larger than the threshold thR1. The threshold value thR2 or more means that there is a considerable margin in the remaining storage capacity of the page data cache area 19.

Therefore, if the threshold value thR1 is greater than or equal to the threshold value thR1 in step S702 and greater than or equal to the threshold value thR2 in step S703, the user terminal 1 advances the process from step S703 to step S708, and has more than three pages that are normally determined from the display target pages. Determine the page as the forward proximity page.
Then, in the subsequent step S709, the user terminal 1 determines five pages, which are more than usual, from the display target pages as rearward adjacent pages.
After the process of step S709, the user terminal 1 completes the page range determination process and proceeds to step S509 in FIG.

In step S703, when the user terminal 1 determines that the remaining storage capacity is less than the threshold thR2, the remaining storage capacity is greater than the threshold thR1 and smaller than the threshold thR2. In such a case, the user terminal 1 advances the processing from step S703 to step S704, and determines three pages from the display target page displayed on the display unit 71 as the front proximity page.
In step S705, the user terminal 1 determines three pages from the display target page as the backward adjacent pages.
After the process of step S705, the user terminal 1 completes the page range determination process, and the process proceeds to step S509 in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, when there is a certain amount of remaining storage capacity in the page data cache area 19, a larger page range of the front neighboring page and the rear neighboring page can be stored in the storage area. Thereby, even if the user suddenly performs one-shot operation continuously, the page of the transition destination can be promptly displayed without performing communication with the web server 2.

Next, the storage management process (step S510 in FIG. 12) in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S801, the user terminal 1 determines whether or not the remaining storage capacity of the page data cache area 19 is equal to or less than the threshold thR1. If the remaining storage capacity is larger than the threshold thR1 in step S801, it is determined that there is room to store new page data in the page data cache area 19. Therefore, the user terminal 1 completes the storage management process without deleting the page data stored in the page data cache area 19, and advances the process to step S511 in FIG.

In step S801, when the user terminal 1 determines that the remaining storage capacity of the page data cache area 19 is equal to or less than the threshold thR1, the process proceeds to step S802. In step S <b> 802, the user terminal 1 refers to the page management information storage area 18, and determines whether confirmation has been completed for all the page data stored in the page data cache area 19.
If the processing has not been completed for all the page data in step S802, the user terminal 1 proceeds to step S803, selects certain unprocessed page data, and the confirmed page data has been viewed in step S804. It is determined whether it is. If the page data has not been browsed, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S802 and repeats the process of steps S802 → S803 → S804.
Here, if the confirmed page data has been browsed in step S804, the user terminal 1 proceeds to step S805 and deletes the page data from the storage area. This increases the remaining storage capacity of the storage area.

  Thereafter, the user terminal 1 returns the process to step S801, and confirms whether the remaining storage capacity after deleting the page data is greater than the threshold thR1. At this time, if the remaining storage capacity becomes larger than the threshold thR1 in step S801, it is determined that the remaining storage capacity has a margin for storing new page data in the storage area. Accordingly, the user terminal 1 completes the storage management process without deleting any more page data stored in the storage area, and advances the process to step S511 in FIG.

  If the remaining storage capacity is still less than or equal to the threshold thR1 in step S801, the user terminal 1 again determines in step S802 whether all the page data has been confirmed. When the confirmation of all the page data is completed in step S802, the user terminal 1 completes the storage management process without deleting any more page data stored in the storage area, and the process proceeds to step S511 in FIG. Proceed.

On the other hand, if there is still page data to be confirmed, the user terminal 1 advances the processing to step S803 and performs the same processing as described above.
In the third embodiment, the user terminal 1 performs the storage management process as part of the page request process (step S332 in FIG. 10). It may be a batch process performed every time.

In the third embodiment, the page range of the front neighboring page and the rear neighboring page can be changed and stored in the page data cache area 19 according to the remaining storage capacity of the page data cache area 19. As a result, when there is a margin in the remaining storage capacity, a large amount of page data of the front adjacent page and the rear adjacent page is stored in the page data cache area 19 so that the user's sudden single operation is continuously performed. Even in the case, the page of the transition destination can be promptly displayed without performing communication with the web server 2. On the other hand, when the remaining storage capacity is not so large, the number of page data to be stored in the page data cache area 19 is reduced by determining the smaller number of pages as the front neighboring page and the rear neighboring page than in the normal case. Thus, it is possible to prevent the remaining storage capacity from being compressed by page data that is not necessarily viewed by the user.
When the remaining storage capacity is not very large, not only the page data is stored in the page data cache area 19 but also the deleted page data is deleted by the storage management process, so that the remaining storage capacity is automatically It is possible to secure a margin.

<6. Fourth Embodiment>
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, the user terminal 1 determines the page range of the front adjacent page and the rear adjacent page determined in the page range determination process (step S508 in FIG. 12) based on the interval between single operations performed by the user. decide.

First, in step S <b> 901, the user terminal 1 acquires operation history information of a single operation from the operation history information storage area 17. In step S902, the user terminal 1 calculates the single operation interval of the user. The single operation interval of the user refers to an interval of single operation that is considered to be performed in order to advance to the next page while the user reads the electronic book.
The single operation interval may be obtained by the average value of the time taken between the single operation of the user so far, or, for example, by selecting the 20 most recent single operations and obtaining the moving average value thereof. May be. It is also conceivable that the maximum value or the minimum value of the time taken between the single operations is set as the single operation interval.

After calculating the single operation interval in step S902, the user terminal 1 determines in step S903 whether the single operation interval is equal to or less than a threshold thI1. The threshold thI1 is a preset value that serves as a reference for determining that the interval between single user operations is short. The threshold thI1 is set as a short period such as 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1 minute.
When the single operation interval is equal to or less than the threshold thI1, it can be determined that the interval for the single operation of the user is very short. That is, it is determined that the reading speed of the user who reads the electronic book is very fast.

When the single operation interval is equal to or smaller than the threshold thI1 in step S903, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S907.
In step S907, the user terminal 1 determines a range of five pages from the display target page in the page advance direction as the front adjacent page, and also in step S906, determines a range of five pages in the direction opposite to the page advance direction from the display target page. It is determined as a backward adjacent page.
That is, for a user who has a very short interval between single operations and a very fast reading speed, the number of pages larger than the preset number of pages is set as the front proximity page and the back proximity page. As a result, more front neighboring pages and rear neighboring pages can be stored in the storage area, so that even a quick page turning operation by the user can be read without giving a waiting time such as download time. .
The user terminal 1 completes the subsequent page range determination process in step S908 and advances the process to step S509 in FIG.

If the single operation interval is greater than the threshold thI1, the user terminal 1 proceeds to step S904, and this time determines whether the single operation interval is greater than or equal to the threshold thI2. The threshold thI2 is a preset value that serves as a reference for determining that the interval between single operation of the user is long.
The threshold thI2 is larger than the threshold thI1, and is set as a relatively long period such as 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or the like.
When the single operation interval is equal to or greater than the threshold thI2, it can be determined that the single operation interval of the user is very long. That is, it is determined that the reading speed of the user who reads the electronic book is very slow.

Furthermore, when the single operation interval is equal to or greater than the threshold thI2, the user terminal 1 proceeds from step S904 to step SS909. In step S909, the user terminal 1 determines the range of one page in the page progression direction from the display target page as the front adjacent page, and also in step S910, determines the range of one page in the direction opposite to the page progression direction from the display target page. It is determined as a backward adjacent page.
In other words, for users who have a single operation interval that is very long and the reading speed is slow, there is not much need to store the previous page data in the storage area, so there are fewer pages than the preset number of pages. Set the number to the front proximity page and back proximity page. As a result, the storage area of the page data cache area 19 is not compressed, and the storage area can be used effectively.
The user terminal 1 completes the subsequent page range determination process in step S910, and advances the process to step S509 in FIG.

If the user terminal 1 determines that the single operation interval is greater than the threshold thI1 and less than the threshold thI2, the user terminal 1 proceeds with the process in steps S901 → S902 → S903 → S904 → S905. In step S905, the user terminal 1 determines the range of three pages from the display target page in the page progress direction as the front adjacent page, and in step S906, determines the range of three pages in the direction opposite to the page progress direction from the display target page. It is determined as a backward adjacent page.
That is, when the single operation interval of the user is greater than the threshold thI1 and less than the threshold thI2, a page range set in advance as a standard is determined as a front proximity page and a back proximity page.
The user terminal 1 completes the subsequent page range determination process in step S906, and advances the process to step S509 in FIG.

<7. Fifth embodiment>
A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the fifth embodiment, the user terminal 1 determines the page range of the front adjacent page and the rear adjacent page determined in the page range determination process (step S508 in FIG. 12) based on the frequency of page return operations performed by the user. To decide.
Here, the page return operation refers to an operation of advancing the page in the direction opposite to the page progress direction among the user's page turning operations.

First, in step S1001, the user terminal 1 acquires user operation history information from the operation history information storage area 17, and in step S1002, calculates the frequency of page return operations.
The frequency of the page return operation is obtained by calculating the ratio of the page return operation in the user's page turning operation. Note that it is also possible to obtain the page return frequency by selecting a single operation from among the page turning operations and calculating the ratio of the page return operations. As the operation history used for the calculation, all operation histories performed up to the present time may be used, or the latest ten operation histories may be used. As described above, the frequency of the page return operation can be calculated by various methods.

After calculating the frequency of the page return operation in step S1002, the user terminal 1 determines in step S1003 whether the frequency of the page return operation is greater than or equal to a threshold thF1. The threshold thF1 is a preset value that serves as a reference for determining that the frequency of the user's page return operation is high. The threshold thF1 is set as a numerical value with a ratio of 10%, 15%, 20%, or the like, for example.
When the single operation interval is equal to or greater than the threshold thF1, it is determined that the user's page return frequency is high.

Here, if the single operation interval is equal to or greater than the threshold thF1 in step S1003, the user terminal 1 proceeds to step 1007.
After that, in step S1007, the user terminal 1 determines a range of two pages less than three pages from the display target page in the page progress direction as the front adjacent page, and also in step S1006, the direction opposite to the page progress direction from the display target page. A range of 4 pages more than 3 pages is determined as a backward adjacent page.
That is, for a user who is highly likely to perform a page return operation, since there is a high possibility of returning to a past page, the number of pages larger than the preset number of pages is set as the backward adjacent page. As a result, a larger number of backward adjacent pages can be stored in the storage area, so that even if the user frequently performs a page return operation, browsing can be performed without giving a waiting time such as a download time.
The user terminal 1 completes the subsequent page range determination process in step S1008, and advances the process to step S509 in FIG.

If the single operation interval is greater than or equal to the threshold thF1, the user terminal 1 proceeds to step S1004, and this time determines whether or not the single operation interval is equal to or less than the threshold thF2. The threshold thF2 is a preset value that serves as a reference for determining that the user's page return frequency is low. The threshold value thF2 is smaller than the threshold value thF1, and is set as a relatively small numerical value such as 3%, 5%, 10%, or the like.
When the single operation interval is equal to or less than the threshold thF2, it is determined that the frequency of the user performing the page return operation is very low.

When the single operation interval is equal to or less than the threshold thF2, the user terminal 1 advances the processing from step S1004 to step S1009. In step S1009, the user terminal 1 determines a range of four pages more than three pages from the display target page in the page progress direction as the front adjacent page, and also in step S1010, 3 in the direction opposite to the page progress direction from the display target page. A range of two pages less than the page is determined as the rear adjacent page.
That is, a user who is unlikely to perform a page return operation has little possibility of returning to past page data. Therefore, the storage area can be used effectively by setting the number of pages smaller than the preset number of pages for the backward adjacent pages.
In addition, it is considered that a user who has a low possibility of performing the page return operation has a relatively high ratio of operations to be advanced in the page progress direction among the page turning operations. Therefore, by setting the number of pages closer to the front proximity page than the preset number of pages, the next page can be displayed without causing the user to wait.
The user terminal 1 completes the subsequent page range determination process in step S1010, and advances the process to step S509 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S1004 that the percentage of page return operations is higher than the threshold thF2, the user terminal 1 advances the process to step S1005. Thereafter, in step S1005, the user terminal 1 determines a range of three pages from the display target page to the page advance direction as a front proximity page, and in step S1006, determines a range of three pages opposite to the page advance direction from the display target page. It is determined as a backward adjacent page.
That is, when the user's single operation interval is smaller than the threshold thF1 and larger than the threshold thF2, the page ranges set in advance as standard are determined as the front neighboring page and the rear neighboring page.
The user terminal 1 completes the subsequent page range determination process in step S1006, and advances the process to step S509 in FIG.

<8. Sixth Embodiment>
A sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18A.
In the sixth embodiment, an operation determination period calculation process performed to calculate the operation determination period t used in step S404 in FIG. 11 will be described. The user terminal 1 calculates the operation determination period t using the user operation history information.
The operation determination period calculation process is performed as a batch process. Various timings such as when the operation history information storage area 17 is updated or every predetermined period such as an interval of 10 minutes can be considered as the timing at which batch processing is performed.

First, the user terminal 1 acquires operation history information from the operation history information storage area 17 in step S1101. Thereafter, in step S1102, the user terminal 1 selects an operation interval between page feed operations that are equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is arbitrarily set in advance. For example, even if it is a continuous operation, it is difficult to say that it is a continuous operation if the interval between page feed operations is 5 seconds. For this reason, it can be said that the accuracy of the interval between successive operations of the user is enhanced by narrowing down to page feed operations performed at intervals of a predetermined value or less.
Examples of the predetermined value include 0.3 seconds, 0.5 seconds, and 1.5 seconds.

After selecting an operation interval in which the interval between operations is a predetermined value or less, the user terminal 1 calculates an average value of the selected operation intervals.
In step S1104, the user terminal 1 stores the calculated average value as the operation determination period t in, for example, the storage unit 108 illustrated in FIG. 2, and the operation determination period calculation process is completed.
As described above, by periodically performing the operation determination period calculation process, it is possible to provide operation timing more suitable for the user's experience.

<9. Seventh Embodiment>
The seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18B.
In the seventh embodiment, an operation determination period calculation process performed to calculate the operation determination period t used in step S404 in FIG. 11 will be described. The user terminal 1 applies the operation determination period t according to the genre of the electronic book that the user is currently reading.
The operation determination period calculation process is performed as a batch process. The timing when the batch processing is performed may be when a user's operation for selecting an electronic book is detected.

First, in step S <b> 1201, the user terminal 1 acquires the genre information of the electronic book displayed on the display unit 71 from the operation history information storage area 17. For example, in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the user terminal 1 acquires genre information of an electronic book such as “comic” from the operation history information storage area 17.
Next, in step S1202, the user terminal 1 acquires an operation determination period t corresponding to the acquired genre information. Here, an operation determination period t is set in advance for each type of electronic book. For example, “comics” and “magazines” have a smaller ratio of sentences compared to “paperback” and the like, so the operation determination period t is set shorter than “paperback”.

  When the operation determination period t corresponding to the type is acquired, the user terminal 1 stores the acquired operation determination period t in the storage unit 108 in step S1203. Then, the user terminal 1 completes the operation determination period calculation process.

Thereby, by setting the operation determination period t suitable for the type of electronic book, it is possible to provide a more comfortable operation environment for page turning operation for the user.

<10. Eighth Embodiment>
The eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19A.
In the eighth embodiment, the storage management process in step S510 of FIG. 12 will be described. In the storage management process, the user terminal 1 determines page data to be deleted based on the distance from the display target page.

In step S1301, the user terminal 1 confirms the page management information storage area 18, and selects a rear page that is outside the page range determined in step S508 in FIG. 12 and is farthest from the display target page. In step S1302, the user terminal 1 deletes the selected page data.
The page data of the rear page farthest away from the display target page is highly likely to have been browsed by the user, and is not likely to be browsed back. By deleting such page data with low user browsing possibility as needed, it is possible to secure a sufficient free area in the storage area and to effectively use the free storage area.

After step S1302, the user terminal 1 completes the storage management process, and proceeds to step S511 in FIG.
In the eighth embodiment, the user terminal 1 performs the storage management process as part of the page request process (step S332 in FIG. 10), but the storage management process is performed, for example, for 30 seconds, 1 minute, or 10 minutes. It may be a batch process performed every time.

<11. Ninth Embodiment>
The ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19B.
In the ninth embodiment, the storage management process in step S510 of FIG. 12 will be described. In the storage management process, the user terminal 1 determines page data to be deleted based on the time stored in the page data cache area 19.

In step S1401, the user terminal 1 refers to the page management information storage area 18 and selects page data that is outside the page range determined in step S508 in FIG. 12 and has the oldest stored time. In step S1402, the user terminal 1 deletes the selected page data.
The page data with the oldest stored time is a page that is highly likely to have been browsed by the user and is not likely to be browsed back. By deleting such page data with low user browsing possibility as needed, it is possible to secure a sufficient free area in the storage area and to effectively use the free storage area.
After step S1402, the user terminal 1 completes the storage management process, and proceeds to step S511 in FIG.
In the ninth embodiment, the user terminal 1 performs the storage management process as part of the page request process (step S332 in FIG. 10). It may be a batch process performed every time.

<12. Summary>
The user terminal 1 described in the first to ninth embodiments and the like described above detects the user's page turning operation on content (electronic book) having a plurality of pages (S303 in FIG. 10), and the predetermined amount is determined from the page turning operation. An operation type determination unit 11 that determines a plurality of page turning operations when a page turning operation is performed again within a period (operation determination period t) as a continuous operation, and determines a page turning operation that does not correspond to the continuous operation as a single operation. When the operation type determination unit 11 determines that the operation is a single operation, the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area is specified according to the single operation (S502 and S508 in FIG. 12), and the operation type determination is performed. During the period when the unit 11 determines that the continuous operation is being performed, the page data distribution request corresponding to the page turning operation is not performed, and the continuous operation is determined to end (S404 in FIG. 11). The second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area (page data cache area 19) is specified according to the subsequent operation (S515 and S508 in FIG. 12), and the specified first distribution target page data or second distribution target Of the page data, the page request unit 12 that makes a distribution request for page data that is not stored in the storage area (page data cache area 19), and the page data distributed in response to the distribution request is stored in the storage area (page data cache). The storage management unit 13 to be stored in the area 19) and the display control unit 14 that performs control to read and display the page data from the storage area in accordance with the page turning operation by the user (FIG. 12). .

Here, a process of determining a plurality of page turning operations as a continuous operation when the page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period (operation determination period t) from the page turning operation is performed by the user in step S405 of FIG. A state in which a page turning operation is detected again.
Processing for determining a page turning operation that does not correspond to the continuous operation as a single operation is performed in steps S405 to S411.
Further, the process of determining the number NCT of page turning operations in the continuous operation is performed in steps S411 and S412.
Further, the process of not performing the page data distribution request according to the page turning operation during the period determined to be during the continuous operation includes steps S404 to S411 in FIG. 11, and for each page turning operation to be a continuous operation. This is realized by not proceeding to the processing of FIG.

  That is, the operation type is automatically determined from the timing of the user's page turning operation, the requested page data is determined according to the operation type, and the page data request process is performed as necessary. Here, “as necessary” means whether the determined page data is already stored in the page data cache area 19 as in the above example, for example. The page data request processing is performed as the page data needs to be acquired.

If it is determined that the operation is a continuous operation, the page that the user desires to browse is considered to be a page corresponding to the page turning operation that was last performed at the end of the continuous operation. Therefore, by not performing a download request for a page on the way while it is determined that a continuous operation is being performed, communication traffic with the web server 2 due to a download request process for a page that is considered unlikely to be viewed by the user The load can be reduced (reduction of communication volume). Thereby, the processing load of the web server 2 and the user terminal 1 can also be reduced.
Further, by reducing unnecessary download request processing, page data recorded in the page data cache area 19 can be reduced. As a result, a free area can be secured in the page data cache area 19, so that a limited storage area can be used effectively.
The technique of this embodiment can be said to be particularly useful in the case of an electronic book such as a magazine that is not necessarily read in page order because continuous operation is assumed to be frequently used.

Further, when the transition destination page determined by the page turning operation is stored in the page data cache area 19, the page data is displayed on the display unit 71 as a page display screen without requesting the page data from the web server 2.
Accordingly, when the user performs a page turning operation, the page data is acquired from the page data cache area 19 without waiting for the reception of the page data from the web server 2, so that the page is displayed in the display area of the display unit 71. Can be displayed. Therefore, the user can reduce the download waiting time during the page turning operation, and can read the electronic book comfortably.
Further, by storing the page data in the page data cache area 19 every time the page data is acquired from the web server 2, even if the page turning operation is performed once for the requested page again, There is no need to request page data from the web server 2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication with the web server 2.

Further, in the user terminal 1, the page request unit 12 may specify the display target page and the adjacent page of the display target page as the first storage target page data or the second storage target page data (S502 in FIG. 12). , S515, S508).
In other words, the page request unit 12 specifies a page adjacent to the currently displayed page as the display target page in the first storage target page data, and a predetermined range of pages including the adjacent page of the specified display target page. Is specified as an adjacent page, a display target page is specified in accordance with a continuous operation in the second storage target page data, and a predetermined range of pages including pages adjacent to the specified display target page is specified as a close page. .
As a result, in addition to the display target page to be displayed on the display unit 71, the page data is also requested for a proximity page that the user may view in the future by a page turning operation.
As described above, by determining the request page based on the target page of the continuous operation, the cache contents at the user terminal can be made more efficient and appropriate. That is, it is possible to appropriately store the periphery of the currently browsed page that is likely to be browsed by the user.
In addition, when a single operation is detected, since the peripheral pages (proximity pages) of the display target page have been downloaded, the next page can be displayed immediately.

In the user terminal 1, the page request unit 12 is in a state in which at least pages that are continuous in the page progression direction from the display target page (forward adjacent pages) are stored in the storage area (page data cache area 19) as adjacent pages. Thus, page data request processing is performed as necessary (S508 and S512 in FIG. 12).
That is, the front proximity page that is close to the page progression direction when viewed from the display target page is stored in the storage area.
When the user proceeds to read the electronic book, it can be said that the page in the page progression direction is a page that is likely to be viewed by the user in the future from the page currently displayed on the display unit 71. Therefore, by storing the page data of such a highly viewable page in the page data cache area 19 in advance, the user can comfortably read the electronic book. That is, user convenience is improved.

In the user terminal 1, the page request unit 12 stores, in the storage area (page data cache area 19), at least a page (backward adjacent page) continuous from the display target page in the direction opposite to the page progression direction as the adjacent page. The page data request process is performed as necessary so as to be in a state.
That is, a backward adjacent page that is close to the direction opposite to the page progression direction when viewed from the display target page is stored in the storage area.
When the user changes the page by continuous operation in the electronic book, the page may be returned to adjust the page that the user wants to read after the transition. In such a case, by storing in advance in the page data cache area 19, the user can comfortably read the electronic book. That is, user convenience is improved.
In addition, since the front proximity page is a page in the e-book's page progress direction, it can be said that the page is highly likely to be viewed in the future. However, the back proximity page in the direction opposite to the page progress direction is not necessarily viewed. It is not always done.
Therefore, it is conceivable to set the range for requesting the proximity page so that the back proximity page is smaller than the front proximity page (S1009 in FIG. 17).
Thus, the requested page data is set to be small for the backward neighboring pages so that the page data cache area 19 of the information processing device is not compressed, and the number of pages of the forward neighboring pages that are likely to be read by the user is set to be large. Thus, it is possible to secure a storage area while ensuring comfortable operability for the user. As a result, the page data cache area 19 (storage area) can be utilized more efficiently.

Further, the page request unit 12 in the user terminal 1 sets the number of pages of the front neighboring page and the number of pages of the rear neighboring page that are requested according to the capacity of the storage area (FIG. 13).
That is, the page number of the front neighboring page and the page number of the rear neighboring page are set so that the storage area of the information processing apparatus is not compressed.
As a result, when the storage capacity is sufficient, the displayable range can be expanded regardless of the download by expanding the storage range. Thereby, the range which can display a page rapidly can be expanded, and it can respond flexibly to a user's page turning operation.
In addition, in the case of a device that does not have a sufficient storage capacity, the storage burden can be reduced.

Further, the page request unit 12 in the user terminal 1 sets the number of pages of the front neighboring page and the number of rear neighboring pages to be requested according to the remaining amount of the storage area (page data cache area 19) (FIG. 14).
That is, the page number of the front neighboring page and the page number of the rear neighboring page are set so that a storage area used for other purposes of the information processing apparatus can be secured.
Thus, the user can comfortably operate the user terminal 1 without worrying about the remaining storage capacity (page data cache area 19).

In the user terminal 1, the page request unit 12 sets a front proximity page based on the user's operation history (operation history information storage area 18) (FIG. 16).
That is, the operation tendency is determined from the user operation history, and the number of adjacent pages is changed according to the tendency for each user.
This reduces the amount of communication with the web server 2 because it is less likely to request page data that is less likely to be browsed by the user. In addition, storage areas can be secured for the page data that is not required.

In the user terminal 1, the page request unit 12 sets a proximity page to be requested according to the time interval of the single operation (FIG. 16).
That is, the user's page turning speed is estimated from the single operation interval, and the page number of the front neighboring page and the page number of the rear neighboring page are changed according to the user's page turning speed.
For example, in the case of a person who performs a single operation at short intervals (speed reading person), the number of pages to be determined as the front proximity page and the back proximity page is increased. As a result, a delay when the user performs a page turning operation is less likely to occur. Therefore, quick page display can be realized and user convenience can be improved.
Further, in the case of a person with a long single operation interval (a person who reads slowly), the number of pages to be determined as the front neighboring page and the rear neighboring page is reduced. Thereby, the storage burden of the storage area can be reduced while ensuring the convenience for the user.

In the user terminal 1, the operation type determination unit 11 sets a predetermined period (operation determination period t) based on the user operation history (FIG. 18A).
That is, the tendency of the user's operation is determined from the operation history, and the criteria for single operation and continuous operation are changed for each user. Thereby, since it becomes possible to set the operation determination period t according to the property for every user about the speed etc. which read the page of an electronic book, the improvement of a user's convenience can be aimed at.

In the user terminal 1, the operation type determination unit 11 sets a predetermined period (operation determination period t) based on the user operation history in the currently displayed content (electronic book) (FIG. 18A).
Thereby, the tendency of the user's operation is grasped for each content, and the criteria for single operation and continuous operation are changed for each content.
Even for the same user, for example, when reading a magazine with a small amount of text and a paperback book with a large number of characters, the interval between page feed operations is completely different. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a page turning operation according to the property of each user according to the content type, so that the convenience of the user can be improved.

In the user terminal 1, the operation type determination unit 11 sets a predetermined period (operation determination period t) based on the type information of the currently displayed content (electronic book) (FIG. 18B).
Thereby, the criteria for single operation and continuous operation are changed for each content the user is browsing.
As described above, depending on the type of electronic book such as “comic” or “paperback”, the interval between page turning operations is often quite different. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a page turning operation according to the genre of the content, so that the convenience of the user can be improved.

In the user terminal 1, the storage management unit 13 stores page data that does not fall within a predetermined range including the page adjacent to the currently displayed page among the page data stored in the storage area (page data cache area 19). All or a part is deleted (S510 in FIG. 12).
That is, page data that does not fall within the predetermined range including the page adjacent to the currently displayed page is deleted as needed, and free space is secured in the page data cache area 19.
Storing the page data in the page data cache area 19 every time the page data is acquired from the web server 2 makes it unnecessary to request the page data from the web server 2 again, which is convenient in that the communication amount can be reduced. However, if the page data is continuously stored as it is, the storage capacity of the page data cache area 19 is thereby pressed, and it may be difficult to store the page data distributed from the web server 2.
Therefore, by deleting part of the page data other than the acquired page data as needed, it is possible to secure a free area of the storage capacity of the page data cache area 19 and effectively use the free area.

In the user terminal 1, the storage management unit 13 deletes the page data stored in the storage area (page data cache area 19) other than the acquired page data and having the oldest storage time ( FIG. 19B).
As a result, page data that is less likely to be viewed by the user in the future is deleted.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the storage load of the storage area without affecting the user operability and to further effectively use the storage area.

In the user terminal 1, the storage management unit 13 selects page data that is out of a predetermined range and is displayed at least once among page data stored in the storage area (page data cache area 19). It is deleted (FIG. 15).
That is, a page browsed at least once by the user is not likely to be browsed by the user, and thus the page data is deleted.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the storage load of the storage area without impairing the operability of the user and to further effectively use the storage area.

In the user terminal 1, the storage management unit 13 deletes the page data farthest from the display target page among the rear neighboring pages other than the acquired page data stored in the storage area (FIG. 19A).
That is, the frequency of page turning operations is not so high from the displayed display target page in the direction opposite to the page progression direction. This is especially true if the page is a rearward closest page that is farthest from the display target page. Therefore, the backward adjacent page is deleted.
Thereby, without impairing the operability for the user, it is possible to reduce the storage load of the storage area and to further effectively use the storage area.

Also, the user terminal 1 requests the external device (web server 2) to distribute page data that is not stored in the storage area in the predetermined range of page data (S511, S512 in FIG. 12).
That is, page data that is not stored in the storage area is determined as requested page data. Thereby, since it is not necessary to communicate with the web server 2 again for the pages stored in the storage area, it is possible to further reduce the communication amount.

In the user terminal 1, when the display control unit 14 detects a page turning operation, the page (FIG. 8B) obtained by simplifying the page constituting the currently displayed content is used as a page transition screen showing the state of the page transition. It is displayed (S410 in FIG. 11).
Thereby, the requested page data is acquired, and the page transition screen is displayed until the page data is displayed on the display.
Therefore, since the screen changes immediately in response to the page turning operation, it is possible to realize a comfortable operation feeling without causing the user to feel a delay in responsiveness due to operation determination or the time required for downloading.
In addition, for example, in the case of a comic magazine, a page transition screen that matches the genre of the electronic book being browsed is displayed, such as displaying a frame layout similar to the comic magazine. A natural page turning feeling can be given to the user.
Also, if there is a downloaded page during page transition, it can be displayed as a page transition screen. Thereby, it is possible to give the user a natural feeling of turning the page with a greater sense of presence.

In addition, the first to ninth embodiments described in the present embodiment may be independent processes, or may be performed in combination.
For example, by executing the storage management process in the eighth embodiment and the ninth embodiment in parallel, it becomes possible to secure more free storage areas.
In addition to the above examples, various modes can be considered as combinations of the embodiments.

<13. Program and Storage Medium>
The user terminal 1 as an embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment has been described above. However, the program according to the embodiment is a program that causes an information processing apparatus (such as a CPU) to execute each process in the user terminal 1. It is.

A program according to an embodiment is a program for causing an information processing apparatus to request only page data within a predetermined range including a page designated by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation, and includes a plurality of pages When a page turning operation of the user is detected and a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation, a plurality of page turning operations are determined to be continuous operations, and a page turning operation not corresponding to the continuous operation is determined. When it is determined as a single operation and the single operation, the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area is specified according to the single operation, and the first storage target page data of the specified first storage target page data If a delivery request is made for page data not stored in the storage area, and it is determined that the continuous operation is performed, The second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the end determination of the continuous operation is specified, and the page data not stored in the storage area among the specified second storage target page data A function for making a distribution request, a function for storing page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area, and a control for reading and displaying page data from the storage area in response to a user's page feed operation And a function for performing information processing.
That is, this program is a program for causing the user terminal 1 to execute the processing of each step described with reference to FIGS.

With such a program, the information processing apparatus as the user terminal 1 described above can be realized.
Such a program can be stored in advance in an HDD as a storage medium built in a device such as a computer device or a ROM in a microcomputer having a CPU. Alternatively, it can be stored (stored) temporarily or permanently in a removable storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, memory card, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or magnetic disk. Such a removable storage medium can be provided as so-called package software.
Further, such a program can be installed from a removable storage medium to a personal computer or the like, or can be downloaded from a download site via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

In the present embodiment, the process executed by the user terminal 1 is described as an example of the process. However, in the present embodiment, the process is not limited to being executed by the user terminal 1, and the web server 2 side can also perform the process. It is.
Moreover, said program is realizable also as application software provided with the above PC, a smart phone, etc.

  N ... Network, 1 ... User terminal, 2 ... Web server, 3 ... Database, 11 ... Operation type determination unit, 12 ... Page request unit, 13 ... Storage management unit, 14 ... Display control unit

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that requests only page data within a predetermined range including a page specified by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation, and a user for content having a plurality of pages. The page turning operation is detected, and when the page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation, a plurality of page turning operations are determined as continuous operations, and the page turning operations not corresponding to the continuous operations are performed as a single operation. When the operation type determination unit and the operation type determination unit determine that the single operation, the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the single operation is specified and the specified A delivery request is made for page data not stored in the storage area among the first storage target page data, and the operation type determination unit When it is determined that the operation is a continuation operation, the second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the end determination of the continuous operation is specified, and among the specified second storage target page data, A page request unit that makes a distribution request for page data that is not stored in the storage area, a storage management unit that stores page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area, and a user's page feed operation Te, a display control unit that performs control to display reads the page data from the storage area, Bei example, said page request unit for a period of time in the operation type determining unit is determined in the continuous operation feeding pages A page data distribution request corresponding to the operation is not performed .

An information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus that requests only page data within a predetermined range including a page specified by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation. A user's page turning operation for content having a page is detected, and a plurality of page turning operations when a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation are determined as continuous operations, and do not correspond to the continuous operations. The step of determining the page turning operation as a single operation and the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the single operation when the single operation is determined, and the specified first memory Among the target page data, a delivery request is made for page data not stored in the storage area, and the continuous operation is determined. If the period in which it is determined that during the continuous operation without distribution request page data corresponding to the page turning operation, the second storage object to be stored in the storage area corresponding to the end determination of the continuous operation Specifying page data, performing a distribution request for the page data not stored in the storage area among the specified second storage target page data, and the page data distributed in response to the distribution request An information processing method in which an information processing apparatus executes a step of storing in a storage area and a step of performing control for reading and displaying page data from the storage area in accordance with a page turning operation by a user.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that requests only page data within a predetermined range including a page specified by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation, and a user for content having a plurality of pages. The page turning operation is detected, and when the page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation, a plurality of page turning operations are determined as continuous operations, and the page turning operations not corresponding to the continuous operations are performed as a single operation. When the operation type determination unit and the operation type determination unit determine that the single operation, the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the single operation is specified and the specified A delivery request is made for page data not stored in the storage area among the first storage target page data, and the operation type determination unit If it is determined that the continued operation, in accordance with the termination judgment of the continuous operation, the to be stored in the storage area based on the page and the number of the continuous operation which has been displayed immediately before the continuous operation 2 A page request unit that specifies storage target page data and makes a distribution request for page data that is not stored in the storage area among the specified second storage target page data, and has been distributed in response to the distribution request A storage management unit that stores page data in the storage area; and a display control unit that performs control to read and display page data from the storage area in response to a user's page turning operation. During the period when the operation type determination unit determines that the continuous operation is being performed, a page data distribution request corresponding to the page turning operation is not performed.

An information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus that requests only page data within a predetermined range including a page specified by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation. A user's page turning operation for content having a page is detected, and a plurality of page turning operations when a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation are determined as continuous operations, and do not correspond to the continuous operations. The step of determining the page turning operation as a single operation and the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the single operation when the single operation is determined, and the specified first memory Among the target page data, a delivery request is made for page data not stored in the storage area, and the continuous operation is determined. Page if the period in which it is determined that during the continuous operation without distribution request page data corresponding to the page turning operation, in accordance with the termination judgment of the continuous operation, has been displayed immediately before the continuous operation And second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area based on the number of continuous operations, and among the specified second storage target page data, page data not stored in the storage area A step of making a distribution request, a step of storing page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area, and a control for reading and displaying the page data from the storage area in response to a user's page turning operation And an information processing method executed by the information processing apparatus.

Claims (21)

An information processing apparatus that requests only page data within a predetermined range including a page designated by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation,
A user's page turning operation for content having multiple pages is detected, and when a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation, the plurality of page turning operations are determined as continuous operations, and correspond to the continuous operations. An operation type determination unit that determines that the page turning operation is not a single operation,
When the operation type determination unit determines the single operation, the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the single operation is specified, and among the specified first storage target page data, When a delivery request is made for page data that is not stored in the storage area, and the operation type determination unit determines that it is the continuous operation, it should be stored in the storage area according to the end determination of the continuous operation A page request unit that identifies second storage target page data and makes a distribution request for page data that is not stored in the storage area among the specified second storage target page data;
A storage management unit for storing page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area;
A display control unit that performs control to read and display page data from the storage area in response to a user's page turning operation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the page request unit does not make a page data distribution request according to a page turning operation during a period in which the operation type determination unit determines that the continuous operation is being performed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the page request unit specifies a display target page and a neighboring page of the display target page as the first storage target page data or the second storage target page data. . The page request unit
Among the first storage target page data, an adjacent page of the currently displayed page is specified as a display target page, and a predetermined range of pages including an adjacent page of the specified display target page is specified as the adjacent page. ,
4. The display target page is specified in accordance with the continuous operation in the second storage target page data, and a predetermined range of pages including pages adjacent to the specified display target page is specified as the proximity page. The information processing apparatus described. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the page request unit specifies at least a page continuous in a page progression direction from the display target page as the adjacent page. 6. The adjacent page is specified such that pages continuing from the display target page in the direction opposite to the page progress direction are fewer than pages continuing from the display target page in the page progress direction. 6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the page request unit specifies the adjacent page according to a capacity of the storage area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the page request unit specifies the proximity page according to a remaining amount of the storage area. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the page request unit specifies the proximity page based on an operation history of the user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the page request unit specifies the proximity page according to a time interval of the single operation. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the operation type determination unit sets the predetermined period based on an operation history of the user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operation type determination unit sets the predetermined period based on an operation history of the user in the currently displayed content. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operation type determination unit sets the predetermined period based on type information of currently displayed content. The storage management unit deletes all or part of page data not corresponding to a predetermined range including a page adjacent to a currently displayed page among page data stored in the storage area. Item 14. The information processing device according to any one of Items 13. The storage management unit deletes, among page data stored in the storage area, page data that does not fall within a predetermined range including a page adjacent to the currently displayed page and has the oldest storage time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14. The storage management unit stores page data that does not fall within a predetermined range including a page adjacent to the currently displayed page among the page data stored in the storage area and has been displayed at least once. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14 to be deleted. The storage management unit is page data that does not fall within a predetermined range including a page adjacent to the currently displayed page among the page data stored in the storage area, and the page progression from the page data to be displayed The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein page data that is farthest in a direction opposite to the direction is deleted. When the page control operation is detected, the display control unit displays a page obtained by simplifying a page constituting the currently displayed content as a page transition screen showing a state of page transition. The information processing apparatus described. An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus that requests only page data within a predetermined range including a page specified by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation,
A user's page turning operation for content having multiple pages is detected, and when a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation, the plurality of page turning operations are determined as continuous operations, and correspond to the continuous operations. Determining that the page turning operation is not a single operation;
If it is determined that the single operation, the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area is specified according to the single operation, and the first storage target page data is stored in the storage area among the specified first storage target page data. If it is determined that the operation is a continuous operation, the second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the determination of the end of the continuous operation is specified, and the specification is performed. Performing a delivery request for page data not stored in the storage area among the second storage target page data,
Storing the page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area;
Performing a control of reading and displaying page data from the storage area in accordance with a page turning operation by a user;
Information processing method for executing information processing apparatus. A program for causing an information processing device to request only page data within a predetermined range including a page specified by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation,
A user's page turning operation for content having multiple pages is detected, and when a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation, the plurality of page turning operations are determined as continuous operations, and correspond to the continuous operations. A function to determine that the page turning operation is not a single operation,
If it is determined that the single operation, the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area is specified according to the single operation, and the first storage target page data is stored in the storage area among the specified first storage target page data. If it is determined that the operation is a continuous operation, the second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the determination of the end of the continuous operation is specified, and the specification is performed. A function to make a distribution request for page data not stored in the storage area among the second storage target page data,
A function of storing page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area;
A function of performing control to read and display page data from the storage area in response to a user's page turning operation;
For causing an information processing apparatus to execute the program. A program for causing an information processing device to request only page data within a predetermined range including a page specified by a user's page turning operation for each page turning operation,
A user's page turning operation for content having multiple pages is detected, and when a page turning operation is performed again within a predetermined period from the page turning operation, the plurality of page turning operations are determined as continuous operations, and correspond to the continuous operations. A function to determine that the page turning operation is not a single operation,
If it is determined that the single operation, the first storage target page data to be stored in the storage area is specified according to the single operation, and the first storage target page data is stored in the storage area among the specified first storage target page data. If it is determined that the operation is a continuous operation, the second storage target page data to be stored in the storage area according to the determination of the end of the continuous operation is specified, and the specification is performed. A function to make a distribution request for page data not stored in the storage area among the second storage target page data,
A function of storing page data distributed in response to the distribution request in the storage area;
A function of performing control to read and display page data from the storage area in response to a user's page turning operation;
A computer-readable storage medium for recording a program for causing an information processing apparatus to execute the program.

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